UK's HGV market down 22.5 per cent in Q1 2020

SMMT figures have show that the UK’s new heavy goods vehicle (HGV) market fell -22.5% in the first quarter of 2020, with 9,193 units registered.

Registrations of rigid trucks fell -12.0, driven by a double-digit percentage decline in the >16T truck segment, while trucks weighing >6-16T saw a lesser -5.8% fall in registrations. Meanwhile, demand for articulated heavy trucks declined by more than a third, down -34.5% as 3,613 vehicles joined UK roads.

While tractors continue to make up the majority of HGV registrations with more than 3,500 vehicles registered, nearly all segments saw double-digit declines in the first quarter of the year. Elsewhere, refuse disposal and curtain sided vehicles experienced increased demand, up 24.4% and 1.2% respectively, likely due to ramped up essential services such as rubbish collection and supermarket and warehouse deliveries amid a nationwide pandemic.

The only nation to see an increase in demand during the quarter was Wales, where registrations of heavy goods vehicles were up by over a fifth, growing 20.8% to 354 units. Across the rest of the country, fewer HGVs joined roads, with England and Northern Ireland experiencing -24.9% and -20.5% declines respectively.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: “While fluctuating fleet buying cycles can have a pronounced effect on this market, heavy goods manufacturers have had to adjust business practices during lockdown period just like any other business. As we prepare for a cross-industry restart, we need to restore operator confidence to boost fleet renewal, in order to get more of the latest high-tech, low emission vehicles onto our roads.”